Growers

Robert Butson and daughter Kate.Mt Nicholas Station, Queenstown, New Zealand

ICEBREAKER WAS THE FIRST COMPANY IN THE WORLD TO DEVELOP DEEP, LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS WITH MERINO GROWERS.

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A WINDOW INTO WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGINS

In 1997, Icebreaker became the first company in the world to establish long term contracts with key merino wool growers. The contracts were based on genuine trust and a mutual concern for animal welfare and the environment.

Come and visit Omarama Station, one of our 75 contracted stations in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

Omarama Station

CLICK THE ICONS TO EXPLORE OUR STATIONS

Icebreaker growers are committed to a strict animal welfare code that even extends to sheep dogs working at the stations.

Animal welfare the five freedoms

Guaranteeing the five key freedoms for our flock means you can feel happy in the knowledge that the sheep felt just as good making your Icebreaker merino as you will wearing it!

LINDIS PEAK Station,Lindis Valley, New Zealand

01

Never hungry or thirsty

Growers ensure that their sheep always have access to clean water and adequate nutrition.

LINDIS PEAK Station,Lindis Valley, New Zealand

02

WHERE SHEEP CAN BE SHEEP

Sheep are free to roam in open pastures, allowing them to behave naturally with minimal human intervention.

OMARAMA Station,New Zealand

03

A place to call home

Growers ensure that their sheep have access to adequate shade and shelter at all times.

LINDIS PEAK Station,Lindis Valley, New Zealand

04

Stress-free sheep

Growers must handle their sheep in a way that avoids unnecessary stress and pain. Mulesing is not permitted.

05

Out of harm's way

100% of the contracted Icebreaker merino stations have been audited in the last three years.

Icebreaker merino stations are audited on a three year cycle by JAS-ANZ accredited AssureQuality Ltd. The audit process involves on-site visits, discussions, access to farm stock, facilities and records, citing of supporting documents and written plans. Additional random vet and shearing audits also take place.

To farm within those boundaries of nature... You want to preserve what’s here... not to alter the land."

Robert Butson,MT NICHOLAS STATION,Queenstown, New Zealand

People come to the farm and you say you supply Icebreaker and you definitely feel proud of that."

Lucy Maling,Lindis Peaks Station,New Zealand

We’re signing up to a 10-year contract and that means our kids have certainty for 10 years."

Richard Subtil,Omarama StationNew Zealand

sustainability isn’t just a feature of our products, it’s in the values and design of our business.